David Mundell MP, has been speaking to residents in St Boswells today about the Better Together campaign.
"It is very important that we have a positive campaign about Scotland staying in Britain.
"It isn't just about saying that independence wouldn't be best for Scotland, it is about setting out our positive vision for Scotland continuing to be part of the family nations in Britain, we are finding that is very well received on the doorstep, but people's big question is what would independence mean for me, and they just don't know."
– David Mundell MP, Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale, Scottish Conservatives
Maggie Stanfield is an Ambassador for the Yes campaign and she says people do need to be more award of both arguments.
"We have lots of campaign events planned. Every weekend we will have a Yes campaign stall in one of the Borders towns.
"We get mixed receptions of course and we enjoy that, we want to explain to people why we think Scotland will be better off independent."
Mill job losses "devastating for Langholm" says Dumfriesshire MP
Dumfriesshire MP David Mundell has expressed his disappointment over the news that Langholm based textile mill Reid and Taylor has entered administration, with the loss of 35 jobs.
The firm has been manufacturing luxury cloth and fabric since 1837.
"This is devastating news for Langholm and is a real blow for the whole community and textiles industry based there.
"Right now the priority must be to help and support for those facing job losses, and everyone involved needs to work together to try and find a way forward.
"This will be a distressing time for those who have lost their jobs and my thoughts are with them and their families.
“I will continue to keep in close contact with the administrators and local agencies so that I can do everything possible to support the affected individuals and the community.
There are now big questions over the future of the business and the site, but given the way the business and manufacturing rights were structured the outlook is not positive at this time.
“The speed at which this situation has unravelled is unfortunate, and we must now focus on ensuring that whatever happens to the existing business that the site will be able to be put back into use and that a buyer can be found.
"I will remain in contact with the administrators and will continue to monitor events closely and work on behalf of the local community for the best possible outcome.”
– David Mundell MP, Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale, Scottish Conservatives
Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale MP, David Mundell, has paid his last respects to Margaret Thatcher at her funeral today.
He attended the ceremony at St Paul's Cathedral alongside her friends, family, colleagues and international dignitaries.
Mr Mundell expressed his thanks to Baroness Thatcher for the support she offered to Sir Hector Munro following the Lockerbie Air Disaster, and for the support she offered to the locals during her visit to the town in the aftermath of the bombing.
“It is an honour to have attended Margaret Thatcher’s funeral and pay my respects on behalf of my constituents and conservative across Scotland.
"It is fitting to mark this moment in our nation’s history, and whilst it is a sad day for the political community it is also one to reflect of the importance of conviction, choice and freedom in our democracy.
“This is not the time to debate her individual policies but to recognise and pay tribute to her long and dutiful public service and love of this country.
"I will always remember her kindness and generosity towards new Members of Parliament when I was first elected to Westminster in 2005.
"Locally, I am always grateful for the help and friendship she offered my predecessor Sir Hector Monro following the Lockerbie Air Disaster and the concern and support she showed residents when she visited the town.
"The service gives everyone present the opportunity to share in those memories and her achievements.”
– David Mundell MP, Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale, Scottish Conservatives
Dumfries MP calls for "urgent action" to collapsed road
David Mundell MP, Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale Credit: ITV News Border
Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale MP David Mundell has called for urgent action after a section of road in Dumfries and Galloway collapsed into a stream.
The stretch of road on the A708 between Moffat and Selkirk, near to Grey Mare's Tail, is thought to have broken off after heavy rainfall.
Diversions are in place via Blyth Bridge, Peebles and Innerleithen, causing a long detour for motorists.
The collapsed section of road between Moffat and Selkirk Credit: ITV News Border
Mr Mundell has now written to the Scottish Transport Minister Keith Brown, urging him to provide support to Dumfries and Galloway Council.
He said:
"“Sadly this closure is something which has been going to happen for some time and I have repeatedly called for action to have this road upgraded.”
“The A708 is a direct link route between Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders and I and others have expressed concerns in the past about the condition along stretches of the scenic route.
"Sections of the road have collapsed before with barriers put in place, effectively creating single-file traffic.
“It is now clear that repairs and upgrades are beyond the resources of the local councils and that is why I have called on the Scottish government to get involved.
"This is an important A class road and one essential to tourism, transport and local people, therefore it is imperative it is fixed as soon as possible.
“Fortunately no one was injured in this incident but without investment there could be other similar incidents. It is not enough just to repair this section - there must be a longer term upgrade of this route,”
The collapsed road Credit: ITV News BorderThe road has broken off into the stream Credit: ITV News Border
Local politicians 'disappointed' with court closures announcement
Local politicians have expressed their disappointment at the Scottish Courts Service, after they announced that they want to press ahead with plans to close Peebles, Duns and Kirkcudbright Sheriff Courts by January 2015.
"This is simply another case of people here being ignored by the Scottish Government. I am now seeking a full explanation for this disappointing decision, and checking to see if anything else can be done to these courts.
"I will also be lobbying the Scottish Parliament who will now have to approve this proposal, and also lobbying Scottish Justice Minister Kenny MacAskill.”
– David Mundell MSP, Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale, Scottish Conservatives
"I am very disappointed at the recommendation to close Peebles Sheriff Court.
"I made a strong representation to the Scottish Courts Administration both as the MSP for Peebles and as a former court lawyer as to why it should remain open to deliver local justice.
“I continue to oppose closure but in the meantime, as a back-up am pursuing the relocation of court business to Galashiels as a justice centre and if required, in the interim, should Peebels close, for business to transfer to Selkirk. “
– Christine Grahame MSP, Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale, SNP
Mundell gathers support for Lockerbie rail improvements
Dumfriesshire MP, David Mundell, is gathering support for early morning and late trains from Lockerbie.
He claims the timetable prevents commuters from using the train to get to work in Glasgow and Edinburgh.
He hopes Scotland's Transport Minister Keith Brown will force train companies to make more stops at Lockerbie:
" We want to get hundreds of names. Lockerbie station Is already a very popular station, there's pressure on existing trains.
"But these early and late trains are something that we've wanted for a long time to get a balanced timetable from this station and allow people to get to the cities of Scotland."
– MP David Mundell, Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale & Tweeddale, Conservatives
Local MP launches Lockerbie rail improvements petition
Dumfriesshire MP David Mundell has launched a petition for better rail links and services from Lockerbie Station.
Mr Mundell met with Scotland's Transport Minister Keith Brown last month, where he put forward the case for rail connection improvements in Dumfriesshire.
He has called for the an early morning Carlisle to Edinburgh (via Lockerbie) service, which would enable locals to reach the capital before 9am.
"I am determined to get the balanced timetable of services that Lockerbie needs, as well as making sure there are enough seats on the trains we currently have.
"At my meeting with Scotland's Transport Minister Keith Brown I pressed for his support in these discussions with Transpennine, and also asked him to consider including in the Scotrail franchise an early morning Carlisle to Edinburgh service.
"Keith Brown has asked me for evidence that local people would use these extra services and I am confident that this petition will provide that evidence."
– MP David Mundell, Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale & Tweeddale, Conservatives
